How do you guys apply to jobs if you don't have any experience in the states?

[vaneskygh 1]

I've been looking for a job since a couple of weeks. Since I don't have a degree I lower my expectations and I decided to apply in retail jobs, restaurants, etc. I was called for an interview for a seasonal position and even though I thought I did good they didn't hire me. I don't know if they focus on experience in the states. My question is: what is the best way to consider a qualified employee for a position that only requires High school?. Do they consider my experience in another country? Also I need an advice about how they manage the background check if I lived most of the time abroad. Any thoughts are appreciated!

[ScramJet 35]

Regarding background check: http://www.path2usa.com/fbi-name-check

As for your job searching, I don't see how you could have any problem in searching for a job in food industry. That industry has a huge turnover and persistence usually pays off. Thank God for all fledgling immigrants, there is always an extra place in food industry:). retail jobs are almost the same thing, cashiers position is not hard to obtain. Jc penny's, home depot, #######'s... every time I'm at those places I see a job posting or two

[dukeandduchess 141]

Try volunteering in order to get a reference. It looks good, feels good, and benefits your job search!

[vaneskygh 1]

Thanks for the website it's good to know what kind of background check do the employers I've already worked in the food industry here in the states but I wanted to try other types of jobs. Unfortunately, they were jobs I worked a long time ago (about 8 years)and some online applications don't let me input so many jobs I had since that last time. I'm so frustrated, I think I can't even get a job that pays minimum wage. I think I'm not living the american dream instead, I'm living the American nightmare

[perfect 39]

I found my first job in the USA by way of an employment agency - temp jobs first so I could try a few places out and then got a permanent job through temp to hire position. Ended up being there for 5 years before I got laid off last year! Might be worth looking at agencies in your area, especially at this time fo year. The other place which is very good for job hunting is indeed.com (it pulls from all the other websites so you don't have to go to each one individually). When I was unemployed for nine months last year I submitted over 500 applications, got 54 interviews and was offered 5 jobs so the ratio of offers works out to about 1% of all jobs applied for!

[vaneskygh 1]

After reading your post I realized I shouldn't complaint too much about not being called for an interview. So far I sent 5 applications and had 2 interviews I guess I need to change my perspective and be more flexible about applying to any kind of job. I'm going to check on those temp agencies I thought was easier to get a job directly from them.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Try volunteering in order to get a reference. It looks good, feels good, and benefits your job search!

Very Good advice! Alla did this for a hospital and it has led to further employment with them as a interpreter making good money!

Foreign experience counts. Alla had references from former employers and co-workers in writing.

Virtually any retail or food industry job will hire you ...eventually, just keep applying. Go to the mall, for example, and fill out applications at ALL the stores. They are hiring seasonal help now and if you are good they will keep you after the holidays, thier high tunrover virtually guarantees an open position every few days. work there, get some experience and go on to something else better.

[jjbandero 39]

One thing to keep in mind is to tailor your resume to the job you're applying, what happens is that sometimes the employer does not want to hire someone who is significantly over-qualified for the position.

Best of luck

JJ

[ladyrant 0]

I didn't have any experience in the states when I got my first job. My references were all from my home country, many of which from different provinces as a lot of my references was from internships I worked at out of province, or online, or freelance clients out of province. But, the hiring department didn't care so long as my EAD and other docs were in order. The company I worked for was used to handling new immigrant workers, so, they didn't even blink an eye.

Good luck with your job search!

[ria_s 0]

I was in the same situation as you were. No verifiable employment history for potential employers and no degree. I applied for everything under the sun though. I had one interview at Macy's that went well but I didn't get. Then I got hired as a customer service specialist for a self-funded health insurance company. I am still amazed I got hired. But it was two months of cruising the ads, the forums etc before I landed a job. For my job, I think it was the call center experience I had that helped. My employer was in need of agents badly. I breezed through training so they could get me on the floor quickly.

I love my job though. Pay is great, my coworkers are friendly and helpful. Anyway, don't lose hope. You'll land yours soon.

[vaneskygh 1]

What are the odds! I had an interview at Macy's too and apparently their standards were too high for just an entry level job so I didn't get it.. well I didn't prepare myself either and like you I'm glad I didn't get it. I just started a job on a military base and I love it. It's just seasonal but better than nothing. Thanks to all the good advices!

[AHC_2015 130]

You may want to try out a temp agency and see if they can place you somewhere. Sometimes you don't necessarily need to have a lot of relevant experience. I signed up with the temp agency that my husband was with before he was hired as a full-time employee. I had one interview and was hired for that job even though I had no background in that field. They kept me for two years and then offered me a full-time position. I've now been there for five years!

[David And Katie 5]

Where do you find the temp agencies? I am willing to work anywhere except fast food (sorry, I can't deal with the customers).

[david'sgirl 134]

Create a resume or CV and apply for jobs doing what you did where you lived prior to the US. You can ask former employers for written references. My husband is a machinist with over 25 yrs experience and was able to find a similar job here in the US. He was never asked for the references but it is a good isea to have them. A lot can be explained during your interview. Try signing up with Simply Hired and Monster.com and also look online and in the phone book for companies that do what you did and apply even if they are not currently hiring. Best of luck.

Where do you find the temp agencies? I am willing to work anywhere except fast food (sorry, I can't deal with the customers).

It depends which line of work you are looking for but there are usually some in local phone listing.

[adiiann 163]

What are the odds! I had an interview at Macy's too and apparently their standards were too high for just an entry level job so I didn't get it.. well I didn't prepare myself either and like you I'm glad I didn't get it. I just started a job on a military base and I love it. It's just seasonal but better than nothing. Thanks to all the good advices!

I worked in Macy's just to get out of the house since it's hard to exactly find job in my profession when I can't drive. Anyway, working in Macy's paying barely minimum wage, and work its not that fun, if it's not soooooooo very temporary that if I totaled the hours I did work there, it's not even 160 hrs for 6 mos working there, I couldn't even call it a job. LoL. Well reason for me to work there is to have credit card since employees are eligible and build up my credit score. Then, knowing all the hot discounts in the store. Darn! I am getting paid more in tutoring than working there. When I did tutoring, aside from I really have fun with teaching kids and good pay, I don't get tired and I have time preference.

I love my tutoring service. It's a good pay. Teaching 3 kids, 3hrs/day, 3/week is equivalent to $600. Investments are just reference books, computer, printer and papers.

But I found job in other state, so we moved.

Anyway, applying for job: First find the jobs in job website, know what company offering the job. Instead of applying job in the jobsite. Go to the company's website, find their "career" portion, most companies will allow you to submit resume or create resume in their own website. Make sure by the way, you have impressive and yet simple resume.